Apple introduces new notebook computers

www.chinaview.cn 2004-04-20 10:11:48

LOS ANGELES, April 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Apple Computer on Monday introduced new iBook and PowerBook portable computers, with fasterPowerPC G4 processors running at 1GHz to 1.5GHz.

Apple said that with a faster PowerPC G4 processor running at speeds up to 1.2GHz - optional DVD-burning drive, expanded memory capacity, advanced wireless networking capabilities, its iBook G4 notebook offers 6 hours of battery life, doubling that of many other brand notebook computers.

The company said its iBook is also the lightest all-in-one consumer notebook on the market, with the 12.1-inch iBook G4 weighing just 4.9 pounds and the 14.1-inch model weighing 5.9 pounds.

Apple priced its lower end iBook at 1,099 US dollars, which comes with a 1GHz chip, a 12.1-inch display, 256MB of RAM, a 30GB hard drive and a slot-load combination CD-burner/DVD-ROM drive. AniBook with a 14.1-inch screen, a 1.2GHz PowerPC G4 processor and a60GB hard drive is sold at 1,499 dollars.

Apple's new PowerBook, in three basic configurations with 12-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch displays, comes with faster PowerPC processors, running at 1.33GHz and 1.5GHz.

A PowerBook G4 with a 12-inch display, featuring a 1.33GHz PowerPC chip, 256MB of RAM, a 60GB hard drive, a combination CD-burner/DVD-ROM and AirPort Extreme networking, is priced at 1,599 dollars.

The 2,799 dollar PowerBook G4 comes with a 17-inch display, a 1.5GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, the SuperDrive and AirPort Extreme. Enditem

If you drive a Mercedes-Benz, you probably appreciate fine engineering. If this is true, make the change and go Mac. The 17" Powerbook is extraordinary. A friend of mine has one and it has completely replaced a HUGE desk based audio studio. The display is like nothing else I have seen. The latest operating systems from Apple have to be used to be believed too. I use Macs by choice, at home and on the road, but for my job I have to use a lot of different Windoze machines too. It always staggers me how incredibly bad the Microsoft operating systems (especially XP) is. I don't understand how hundreds of software engineers working in isolation all over the world and calling themselves Microsoft can get the interface so wrong. (hang on a minute.. I may have something here..)

There is a bit of a learning curve if you have only used windows before but trust me, once you go there you will never go back to the dark side.

Apple stuff also has longevity. I am still very happily using a 4 year old Powerbook G3 that does everything I need and more. The other day I was downloading some software, digitising a CD, surfing the web, getting the pics from my digital camera and smiling. All at the same time. At this moment I am running 13 applications (including MS office) and I pretty much leave these running all the time. I usually go weeks before restarting the 'book and this is only if I install new software. And viruses simply don't exist on Mac OSX.

The others are correct in saying the 17" is on face value expensive, but so is an AMG SL55. They really are the current ultimate portable computer. If you want to have all the fun of constantly tinkering with software, eradiacting and then still contracting viruses, installing "security updates" every week and getting to know tech support people really well, get a Windows machine.

If you want a tool that works and makes you smile every time you use it, get a Powerbook.

go with an ibm the best whay to find out what has the fuist problems is to go to the support section of dell ,gateway,hp,ect. i know that hp laptops can be crap i have a friends N5170 Pavilion Notebook and it has a serious problem the vidio cuts out completly and intermently and it could be either a $345.00 MOTHERbored or a
$158.00 S3 video PCA - 4MB SGRAM
check out consumer reports

For the past three years, I have used Sony Vaio´s. These were given to me from work. I have not used any other brand. What I can tell you is that I lugged all three of these machines around everywhere!!! Used to undock it at the office and take it home every noght and dock in there. Never had one crash on me due to a defect or anything. Have had problems with viruses but that was due to problems with the network at the office.

Though, I would recomend that you get an ultra-slim - ultra light if you plan on lugging it around. 1 pound can make a difference when running to catch a flight!!!

Iggy

__________________
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

2006 - Suzuki Gran Vitara (2.0 L fully equipped) Like this car so far except for trying to put on the seatbelt.
1988 - 190e - 2.3L - 172K miles (It now belongs to the exwife)
1999 - Chevy Blazer LS Fully Equiped - killed it June 2006
2001 - Honda Civic EX - 68K miles (sold June 2004)
1963 - 220S - Dual Carb 6 cyl. (sold)
1994 - Yamaha WaveRaider (fun to ride)

Euro, we use a Vaio an awful lot for datalogging GPS trackfiles tagged to cockpit audio observations. It has performed reliably for a couple of years. Good laptop.

oh i suppose i should update on my decision. I bought an HP zx5000 series and it was alright, i ended up returning it because it had a faulty video card. so i got myself a Zd7000 instead. it is a 17" with a P4 2.66 and 64 mb video, 512 memory, 60 gig hd. it is a lot cheaper than my $2000 orginal plan. and it has a num pad!!!

i would definetily go for mac if i had the money, but there are software support issues, and plus its twice what i was willing to pay for

this one is awesome tho. i mean its good enough for me. the only complaints i can think of is the touch pad (maybe i need to get use to it) but it is very twitchy. and it is hard to get it any where since the thing weight 10 lbs and the ac cord weight 1.5 lbs, and it gets about an hour and a half of battery life

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198? 300D ???K - Future DD
1989 300TE 285K - traded in '12
1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08
1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05

I have an HP laptop, ze5460us, and it's working just fine for me. Win XP and I've loaded a few MS apps on it but it's junk free. I've got several accounts on it for the wife and kids and I made myself the admin. My daughter cannot install any software.

I bought it at Compusa and bought the extended warrantee for it. I do make periodic backups, which I should do soon.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Apple's are beautiful, and priced like it.

IBM has made some wonderfil machines in the not too distant past, if there new models are as nice, there a safe bet.

Otherwise..

http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.html

Who are sold by

http://www.pctorque.com/

I owned a Sager 5660 not long ago which had a 3.06 HT P4, 1gig of ram, Radeon 9K, SXGA+ screen, and it was just amazing for the money. There is a heck of a support comunity as well.

And best of all you can get it in the same color as your Mercedes.


I've owned/built and otherwise screwed with a heck of a lot of PC's and laptops both as a hobby and profesionaly, and I have zero problem recomending Sager.

There made by Clevo BTW, which supply the basic machines to several companys like Sager that lightly customize them. They also suplied Alienware at one time, if your familier with them.

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One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K